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OPINION

Blame Congress

Ventura County Star
Published 5:17 p.m. PT Jan. 2, 2019

TIJUANA, MEXICO - DECEMBER 01: Honduran migrants gather on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border fence after some unsuccessfully attempted to cross into the U.S. on December 1, 2018 in Tijuana, Mexico. Mexican police detained the group on the Mexican side of the barrier and said they would return the group to a new government shelter, located far from the border, for members of the 'migrant caravan'. Many of those in the caravan traveled for over a month from Central America to seek asylum in the U.S. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)(Photo: Mario Tama, Getty Images)

Young Felipe Alonzo Gomez of Guatemala died while in U.S. custody at our border. But we'll never know about all of the children who died or will die on the way to our border. They'll remain unknown to us and, therefore, useless as political tools.

The inaction and impasse of Congress are driving the hope and travel of Central Americans to our legal border. Congress caused Felipe Alonzo Gomez's death. Potential immigrants see our indecision and lack of coherent policy as a hope and a chance. They'll continue to risk their children's lives, thanks to congressional impasse. ​

​The current government shutdown is meaningless, and nobody really cares. The real governing part of our government, Congress, shut down a long time ago, but no one mentions it. Its members continue to pose important while slinging silly word spews in front of the press — as if that's their reason for being there or their job.

As a token of collective guilt, Congress members should stop paying themselves. I believe Congress is the driving force of America's division. It risks leading us into civil war.

Ken Bingham, Ventura

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